SERBIA PACKAGES

SERBIA

Description:

5 Days- 4 NightsBelgrade- Novi Sad- Eastern Serbia- Sumadija-Danube

Program of the Trip:

Day1: Belgrade Arrival & Half Day Sightseeing Flight JU827 arrival in Belgrade is planned at 5:50. Agency representative will be expecting the group in the Arrivals Hall after the exit from the baggage claim with a sign. When you get into your coach, just relax and meet New Belgrade by a short drive from Nikola Tesla Airport. You’ll see prominent Belgrade’s blocks, classic example of Socialistic architecture built after World War II, and modern business centers among which Ušće Center surely predominates. During the drive enjoy the image and stories about Western Gate of Belgrade, famous Belgrade Arena and monumental Palace of Serbia. Start the city tour visiting Zemun, charming Austro-Hungarian town famous for special ambiance, architecture and spirit and enjoy a walking tour around this area. This part of Belgrade has once been a different Empire, this is why it differs so much from the rest of the city. Afterwards proceed to Saint Sava Temple, symbol and patron of Belgrade, impressive building that can be seen from any part of the capital. After a short break at the Temple’s plateau, panoramic tour will go on to Slavija Square, Saint Mark’s Church, Serbian National Parliament and President’s residency, all to the Republic Square, most central point of Belgrade that is surrounded by cultural artistic institutions, the National Theatre and National Museum. Go on with a walking tour through lively Knez Mihailo Street, main walking and shopping zone, and visit the Congregational Church, just across the building of Serbian Patriarchy. Hear great stories about “Question Mark - ?”, the oldest tavern in the city, and continue to Kalemegdan Park and Belgrade Fortress, the most important cultural-historic complex of the city, situated on the confluence of the rivers Sava and Danube. Next destination is Yugoslav History Museum with the House of Flowers where Yugoslav leader Broz Tito is buried. Drive to the hotel, check- in after 14:00. Free time and overnight. *The pause for a coffee/breakfast will be done upon the agreement with the group leader (after 8:00, not included in price).

Day2: Royal Šumadija Half Day Tour Breakfast in the hotel. Free time or optional: Šumadija Tour departure at 9:00. Šumadija, “heart of Serbia” or “Serbian Tuscany” got her name because of impenetrable forests this region had been famous for (Serbian “šuma” means forest). It is one of the most important agricultural and wine-growing regions thanks to fertile coil and moderate climate. Šumadija is also famous for marble and Serbian members of Uprisings in the beginning of the 19th century. We will proceed to Topola, classical Šumadija town that in the beginning of the 19th century was a strategic place for organization of Serbian Uprising against Ottoman rule. Karađorđe, the leaderof the Uprising, is the symbol of this town this is why we will visit his house and church that are now used as the space of First Serbian Uprising exposition and Museum of Karađorđe. Then in Oplenac hill that nowadays is famous for Oplenac wine-harvest festival we’ll visit Museum Complex of the Karađorđević family. The Church of Saint George that was built by King Petar I Karađorđević in 1930 preserves family grave and ashes of the royal family members. Return to Belgrade. Free time and overnight.

Day3: Manasija Monastery - Resava Cave - Lisine Waterfalls - Ravanica Monastery Breakfast in the hotel. Free time or optional: Resava Treasury Tour. Departure from Belgrade in the morning hours, drive towards the first monastery of our tour. Monastery Manasija (Resava) with the Church of Saint Trinity is located in central Serbia along the right bank of the Resava River. Manasija was built like a real military fortification with towers and walls with a ditch during the rule of Despot Stefan Lazarević in the early 15th century. Turks conquered the Monastery in the 15th century, Austrians – in the 18th, so in the 19th century the Monastery was restored twice. Floor mosaics and wall fresco along with architectural objects of Manasija represent a real rarity for Serbian medieval architecture and old Serbian painting. There are preserved ruins of the refectory and library that hosted Resava Scriptorium. The tour proceeds to the Resava Cave that was discovered long ago but is still one of the most interesting caves in Serbia. Resava cave and 11 hectares area around it are the natural monument protected by the state. Time for lunch at the restaurant near the Lisina waterfalls, one of the most spectacular natural monument in Serbia. The tour then proceeds to the town of Ćuprija closely to which Monastery Ravanica, endowment of Prince Lazar Hrebeljanović from 138, is located. The Church of Holy Ascension of the Monastery is built of stone and brick and has rich exterior decorations, whilst interior and fresco of the Church show all the skills and inspiration of painters of that time. Although Prince Lazar defended the Monastery with walls and seven towers, the sacral objects were damaged during the invasion of Turks. In the 60-s of the XX century this spiritual, cultural, literary and artistic center of Central Serbia was restored. Nowadays Ravanica preserves ashes of Prince Lazar. Return in Belgrade in early evening hours. Free time and overnight Back to Belgrade. Overnight.

Day4: Danube Full Day Tour: Golubac Fortress – Viminacium – Lepenski VirBreakfast in the hotel. Free time or optional: After breakfast we will drive to Viminacium - Roman town and military fortification from the II century that once was the capital of Roman Province of Moesia Superior, for centuries it had been a crossroad. During Hadrian’s reign in the II century Viminacium had received the status of a municipality, and then in the III century – a colony status, the highest level of independence in the Roman Empire that a town could have. Many Roman Emperors passed by Viminacium and prepared military plans here. At this archaeological park we’ll see perfectly saved late antique frescos of the Roman Empire, mausoleum, spa, Roman amphitheater etc. Next destination: Golubac Fortress. It was built on inaccessible cliffs near the widest part of the Danube (around 6km) and nowadays is one of the best preserved fortresses in Serbia. Golubac was built from stone on the location of former Roman fortification and had been for centuries the place that controlled the Đerdap canyon. Our next stop is Lepenski Vir - one of biggest and most important archaeological sites on this territory. We will seeprehistoric urban settlement that has been populated 8000 years ago, cultural, architectural heritage of Lepenski Vir culture and their way of life. Drive to Belgrade and overnight.

Day5: Novi Sad & Sremski Karlovci Full Day Tour with Departure Transfer Breakfast. Free time, check-out from the hotel before 12:00 and in the evening – Airport transfer. Or optional: Novi Sad & Sremski Karlovci Tour. Today you will explore most interesting sights of Vojvodina, Serbian Northern Province. Drive through picturesque sceneries and famous wine region toward “Serbian Holly land” that hosts 17 functioning Serbian Orthodox monasteries. You will stop by and enter impressive and well preserved monastery – Krušedol. Tour continues to Sremski Karlovci. Sremski Karlovci presents a real gem of Serbian culture and spirituality. Baroque city center, Patriarchy, Cathedral of Saint Nicolas and first Serbian Gymnasium – all this make Sremski Karlovci a “museum town”. It is also famous for wine production and annual festival “Wineball” so you will try fruškagora wine in a local wine-cellar. Further on, you are going to Novi Sad, historical border of two Empires – Austro-Hungarian and Ottoman, which resulted in multi-cultural town with interesting mix of architectural influences. After it we’ll see Dunavska and Zmaj Jovina Street that compose city’s pedestrian zone, the City Hall, Catholic Church, old city center, house of Albert Einstein’s wife Mileva, cultural foundation Matica Srpska and Synagogue. Then you’ll follow to the right bank of Danube and visit Petrovaradin, so-called Danube’s Gibraltar, where the Fortress is located. On the place where you can enjoy in wonderful view of Danube and whole Novi Sad, you will end our tour with dinner in wonderful ambience. On your way back to Belgrade make a stop at a small town of Inđija famous for the biggest retail shopping center in the Balkans. Try out world-famous fashion brands and buy clothes with great discounts! Drive to Belgrade Airport with enough time for outbound flight. End of services.

Prices Include:

-4 nights in Belgrade in a 4* Hotel with a central location, double room basis, breakfast included -Airport arrival & departure transfers  Belgrade City Sightseeing tour combined with arrival transfer-Entrance fee to the Museum of Yugoslav History-Services of an English-speaking guide-VAT and City taxes -Tour logistics and organization by licensed incoming agency